Winning formula... : Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:52 pm  

...well after winning four on the bounce, and what could quite easily have been 6 had we beaten Catalans in what was a "winnable" game, it seems that we have confidence back in the team and the players are back in good form after our blip.
However, what is interesting to see that we had James Evans back in contention and he was a forced change due to suspension, but other than this and the return of Ryan Hudson, we have kept the same team in key positions, with Owen finding great form at full back, Rangi and Ryan McGoldrick gelling well in the halves and Dean Widders impressing in the centres.
However, with Brent Sherwin returning to fitness, Brett Ferres back from suspension and Ryan Boyle and James Ford in contention it seems we could have a full squad in contention for next weeks match. (well, depending on whether Sione has actually been sacked or is actually injured he is the only "unavailable" player it would seem)
This raises the question of whether or not changes should be made, or where abouts they should happen. I think Sherwin will presumably take his place at seven, but this leaves McGoldrick where? Owen is fanatsic at Full back, and Shenton and Widders along with Evans are surely higher up in the pecking order in the centres too. I dont see where he will fit in if Brent comes back in and take his place.
Brett Ferres would probably replace Ryan Clayton for me, as I always felt apart from a relatively solid defence he offers little, but that said, he has looked okay over the past few weeks.

Still, interesting times are ahead and we will see what Terry Matterson has to offer us over the next few weeks with his team selection at the business end of the year. Hopefully he will get it right and see us into the play offs, but there could be one or two selection headaches for him.

: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:55 pm  

Don't change a winning combination is what I would suggest.

: Sun Jul 26, 2009 8:31 pm  

I don't think McGoldrick has been playing as well as he has been prior to these past few weeks. He doesn't seem to have that same urgency.

: Sun Jul 26, 2009 8:37 pm  

i dont think we will have to worry about changing the formula apart from i would have evans back in the Centre and keep widders running wide in the 2 nd row with ferres, which should give us a very strong bench, but i cant go along with goldy playing well in the halves this bloke is an absolute liabillity i dont think there is a game goes by that he doesnt give a chance to the opposition, but i think he will be there for the rest of the season because i dont think sherwin is returning to fittnes, but all in all things are looking good at the moment

Re: Winning formula... : Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:59 am  

The Doctor wrote:

...well after winning four on the bounce, and what could quite easily have been 6 had we beaten Catalans in what was a "winnable" game, it seems that we have confidence back in the team and the players are back in good form after our blip.
However, what is interesting to see that we had James Evans back in contention and he was a forced change due to suspension, but other than this and the return of Ryan Hudson, we have kept the same team in key positions, with Owen finding great form at full back, Rangi and Ryan McGoldrick gelling well in the halves and Dean Widders impressing in the centres.
However, with Brent Sherwin returning to fitness, Brett Ferres back from suspension and Ryan Boyle and James Ford in contention it seems we could have a full squad in contention for next weeks match. (well, depending on whether Sione has actually been sacked or is actually injured he is the only "unavailable" player it would seem)
This raises the question of whether or not changes should be made, or where abouts they should happen. I think Sherwin will presumably take his place at seven, but this leaves McGoldrick where? Owen is fanatsic at Full back, and Shenton and Widders along with Evans are surely higher up in the pecking order in the centres too. I dont see where he will fit in if Brent comes back in and take his place.
Brett Ferres would probably replace Ryan Clayton for me, as I always felt apart from a relatively solid defence he offers little, but that said, he has looked okay over the past few weeks.

Still, interesting times are ahead and we will see what Terry Matterson has to offer us over the next few weeks with his team selection at the business end of the year. Hopefully he will get it right and see us into the play offs, but there could be one or two selection headaches for him.

He certainley has been one of the inform fullbacks in the league at the moment, if carries on like this i can see him getting his england debut against france mid season next year.

: Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:13 am  

I can't see Sherwin playing, but hope that I'm wrong, would be ironic if he came back against the team who crocked him though!

Ferres for Clayton would be the obvious one, although Ryan Clayton has done well this season whenever he's been called upon, just Ferres offers us that bit more in attack.

If Sherwin does come back, then obviously it would be at the expense of McGoldrick, it's where TM finds a place for Goldy that's the question? I would like to see him play in the centre alongside Shenton, but then it would mean leaving Evans out or moving him onto the wing?
Both our wingers really have been excellent in recent games though, especially in defence, so maybe TM will keep Evans on the bench and possibly leave out Netherton? It's a nice problem to have for a change, but a headache having to leave any player out, as they have all played their part.

: Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:56 am  

Le Tigres wrote:

I don't think McGoldrick has been playing as well as he has been prior to these past few weeks. He doesn't seem to have that same urgency.

i dont think theres a lack of urgency with goldie i think its more the fact that goldies maybe listening more to matterson now and realising that he cant win a game off every play..composure is the key now with goldie.

: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:00 pm  

CAPTAINMINUS23 wrote:

i dont think theres a lack of urgency with goldie i think its more the fact that goldies maybe listening more to matterson now and realising that he cant win a game off every play..composure is the key now with goldie.

Does composure mean hanging around behind the play until about the 4th tackle where he either takes the tackle himself and makes about 5 yards, or does his famous unpredictable move.. the inside ball?

He was having a blinder early on in the season, I don't know what's changed.

: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:31 pm  

ok here is how it goes
if you have 4 play makers in the team the opposion has to choose which one to mark leaving gaps for the others (this was the case early season with Rangi Shifty Goldie and Razza) this left gaps for golie to exploit

Now with Razza only just back in the team and Shifty injured we have less opions and the gaps arnt there so its harder for us (and Goldie) to create and exploit gaps as they can mark us / Close the spaces.

Is Goldie playing worse now or is he being marked .

I personally think he is doin a job that TM wants him doin and the Team is winning so Tm must be callin the right shots .

Food for thought

: Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:49 pm  

binks wrote:

ok here is how it goes
if you have 4 play makers in the team the opposion has to choose which one to mark leaving gaps for the others (this was the case early season with Rangi Shifty Goldie and Razza) this left gaps for golie to exploit

Now with Razza only just back in the team and Shifty injured we have less opions and the gaps arnt there so its harder for us (and Goldie) to create and exploit gaps as they can mark us / Close the spaces.

Is Goldie playing worse now or is he being marked .

I personally think he is doin a job that TM wants him doin and the Team is winning so Tm must be callin the right shots .

Food for thought

Good point, I was thinking that Wakey had Goldy sussed, mind you they could'nt handle Rangi?